Sign up today to be a participating pro bono tax attorney with the Tax Pro Bono Referral Panel Program (Program), a statewide initiative of the Taxation Section and Pro Bono Initiative.
Low-income taxpayers in controversy with the Internal Revenue Service are currently assisted by three Low Income Tax Clinics (LITCs) in Michigan: the Michigan State University College of Law Low Income Taxpayer Clinic in East Lansing, the University of Michigan Law School Low Income Taxpayer Clinic in Ann Arbor, and the Accounting Aid Society in Detroit. However, the LITCs cannot possibly help everyone who needs their services.
The Program's pro bono attorneys represent individuals who earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. These individuals cannot afford private assistance, and tend to be confused and overwhelmed by their own tax situations, terrified of the IRS, and extremely grateful for professional assistance.
The Taxation Section and Pro Bono Initiative have stepped in to help address this critical need by coordinating the Program. In addition to Program administration, the Program provides support on IRS controversy cases (through Professors Michele Halloran at Michigan State University College of Law and Nicole Appleberry at the University of Michigan School of Law), access to malpractice insurance as needed, and continuing access to helpful reference materials applicable to this area of practice (including the ABA Tax Manual). Cases are referred directly from Michigan's LITCs to the Pro Bono Initiative, and then to a participating pro bono tax attorney.
Please consider joining the Tax Pro Bono Referral Panel Program today to provide a vitally needed service. Volunteers can request to be removed from the Tax Pro Bono Panel at any time.
For more information, please contact Robert Mathis at rmathis@mail.michbar.org or (517) 346-6412.